A portrait of a beloved pet can bring you happiness every day

By Kim Campbell Thornton

Have you ever admired the portraits of dogs and cats that you see in museums? Immortalizing a pet on canvas isn't just a thing of the past or something for the wealthy. You can commission one yourself to commemorate a special event, such as a dog earning a championship or a sport title, or simply to capture the likeness of a cherished companion. A pet portrait can also be a special gift to a family member or friend.

"I have many pictures of my animals," says Jenn Prendergast of Tracy, California. "Several friends over the years have given them. I feel honored that they made them, and it honors the memory of my beloved pets."

Finding a pet portrait artist is as easy as asking around at local pet boutiques, getting referrals from friends or looking up artists on the AKC's Museum of the Dog registry. Before you choose someone, look at many different styles of dog portraits. Decide if you like a whimsical look or something more formal.

Consider the pros and cons of different media as well. Acrylics and oils look different than watercolors. Pencil art looks different from paintings. Oils and acrylics on canvas or board don't need to be under glass, but pastels, watercolor and pencil art can be damaged by water, so they need protection.

Interview the artists before you hire one. Questions to ask include the size and price, whether it will be matted and framed or unframed, how long it will take, whether you can see a sketch beforehand, what medium the artist will use (some work in more than one), and if the artist guarantees satisfaction.

"I always say I will do it over if they don't like it," says Terry Albert of Poway, California, an award-winning artist whose work has been exhibited at the Museum of the Dog. "Once I had to make a tabby cat browner instead of gray, and once a black Lab just didn't come out the way they envisioned it. The second version in both cases was a hit."

Costs can range from as little as $50 to five figures. Price depends on the medium (oil, pastel, watercolor, charcoal or pencil), the demand and the artist's reputation.

Oils are usually most expensive, often starting at $1,000 and rising from there. Price can also vary by such factors as the number of animals in the painting, the size of the canvas and the complexity of the background. Expect to pay a deposit, with the balance due upon completion.

Cavalier owner Cathy Remoll Torres has an oil painting by artist Dominique Oboyski of her beloved dog Jake, who died three months ago.

"Dominique asked permission to paint him years ago when she was working on painting cavaliers," Torres says. "Years later, she was clearing inventory and offered to sell it to me at a cost I could afford -- it was too expensive for me when she originally painted it. I jumped on the chance, and the painting now hangs in my bedroom."

If you find an artist who works in your area, he or she may meet your dog in person to get an idea of his looks and personality. Otherwise, plan on providing several photographs in different poses. A written description of your dog can help as well. Is he serious or funny? Does he have any quirks? How does he look at you when he wants something? All of these details can help the artist produce the perfect painting.

A portrait of a pet is an everlasting tribute to a friend. When an artist captures an animal's essence, the pleasure a painting brings is immeasurable.

"I have always thought my dogs and cats were true, moving works of art," says Janet Velenovsky. "Having a talented person make that a reality is the logical next step."

Q&A

Teach pup

not to jump

Q: My 5-month-old puppy loves to jump up on me when I come in the door. It's not too bad now, but he's going to be pretty big when he grows up. How can I break him of this habit? -- via Facebook

A: It's really cute and endearing when puppies jump up on us, but you're right: All too soon, they get big enough that the habit of jumping up on people becomes not just annoying, but sometimes downright dangerous. If you're small or you have a toddler or a senior in your household, your dog could knock them down and hurt them.

There are a couple of ways you can deal with this behavior. One is to teach your dog to always sit when he greets people. The other is to teach him to jump up only with permission.

To accomplish the first, stay calm when you enter the house. Greeting your dog should be a routine event, not a matter for excitement. Come inside and put away your keys and coat. Wait until you are away from the front door before acknowledging your dog. If he tries to jump up, turn away, but never yell at him or try to knee him in the chest. Then ask him to sit, and reward him with praise and a treat when he complies. Your dog can learn very quickly that sitting gets him more and better attention than jumping on you.

To teach your dog to jump up only when you ask, dress for the part in clothes you don't mind getting dirty. Pat your chest and say "Up!" When you want four paws on the floor, say "Off" (not "Down"). If he tries to jump on you without an invitation, turn away and say "Off." Make sure friends and family follow the same routine so he doesn't get confused. -- Mikkel Becker

Do you have a pet question? Send it to askpetconnection@gmail.com or visit Facebook.com/DrMartyBecker.

THE BUZZ

Packing for pets?

Here's your list

-- Going on the road with Max or Molly this holiday season? Pack their bags with the following items to make travel a breeze. A collapsible or folding water bowl is lightweight and takes up little space. Look for a soft-sided carrier that expands on both sides so your pet can stretch out at your destination. A quick-dry microfiber towel will help you clean up any accidents or spills in your car, hotel or guest room. Don't forget a bottle of enzymatic stain and odor remover. Of course, plenty of poop pickup bags are a must. Finally, include a current rabies certificate and other vaccination or titer records.

-- Something new you can share with your pet: rising health care costs. Spending on pet health care rose about 60 percent between 1996 and 2012, compared to about 50 percent for humans, according to annual data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Expenditure Survey. During the same period, the number of veterinarians nearly doubled, and the number of physicians grew by 40 percent -- "significantly faster" than in other sectors. Finally, high end-of-life spending is common: For humans it was more than double than during a "regular" month; for dogs, it was nearly 3 1/2 times higher.

-- How cats manage to land on their feet after falling is a question that has fascinated physicists for more than a century. The mystery went unsolved until 1969, when the International Journal of Solids and Structures published a paper titled "A Dynamical Explanation of the Falling Cat Phenomenon," which addressed the surprisingly complicated problem of forces and motion. Even today, scientists still debate the mechanics of the cat flip, or cat-righting reflex, as it's known. It may just be, says University of North Carolina at Charlotte physics professor Greg Gbur, that cats do whatever works in the moment. -- Dr. Marty Becker, Kim Campbell Thornton and Mikkel Becker

ABOUT PET CONNECTION

Pet Connection is produced by a team of pet-care experts headed by "The Dr. Oz Show" veterinarian Dr. Marty Becker and award-winning journalist Kim Campbell Thornton. They are affiliated with Vetstreet.com and are the authors of many best-selling pet-care books. Joining them is dog trainer and behavior consultant Mikkel Becker. Dr. Becker can be found at Facebook.com/DrMartyBecker or on Twitter at DrMartyBecker. Kim Campbell Thornton is at Facebook.com/KimCampbellThornton and on Twitter at kkcthornton. Mikkel Becker is at Facebook.com/MikkelBecker and on Twitter at MikkelBecker.

Pet mischief and mishaps are a traditional part of the holidays. Here are some things to avoid

The 6-month-old Lab puppy grazed on the Christmas tree, gorging on glass bulbs, shimmery tinsel and more. When his owners brought him to the veterinary hospital, swollen with swallowed ornaments, he resembled a four-legged black tick with a pink tongue. A dose of barium to illuminate the intestinal tract on radiographs and force out the intestinal contents worked quickly, and before long, the dog was pooping out pieces of glass, string and wire hooks. As a big wad of tinsel emerged, it gave him the appearance of a giant New Year's Eve party blower.

No doubt all of us have memories of a cat scrambling up a Christmas tree, a swooshing dog tail overturning a lit menorah or a canine or feline counter cruiser tucking into the roast beast. As we enter the holiday season, it's time to bone up on pet-proofing our homes to prevent pet mischief. After all, no one, least of all our dogs and cats, wants to spend any of the days between Thanksgiving and New Year's in the veterinary ER. We've gathered some cautionary tails -- er, tales -- to help you adapt your holiday traditions to the realities of life with pets.

A pointer we know made the news when he ate a child's pushpin craft made with marshmallows to form a snowman. The dog ate the entire thing and required emergency surgery to remove the pushpins. This year, the family will be surrounding the Christmas tree with a pet gate to prevent unauthorized ingestion of ornaments or presents.

Cats, famed for their ability to leap tall counters in a single bound, and their partners in crime, dogs of all sizes, are notorious for stealing food off plates, tables and counters, sticks of butter left out to soften, chocolate-covered espresso beans and marshmallow Santas (ask us how we know this). And we're not the only ones with larcenous animals.

Dexter, a parson Russell terrier, lives with a family who made the mistake of leaving a box of holiday chocolates sitting on their coffee table. They came home to find the contents strewn all over the floor, with much of it eaten. Dexter, apparently a discriminating dog, picked out his favorite varieties from the box. Fortunately, the only outcome was a case of diarrhea, but now family members make it a point to put unsafe food items (or anything they don't want him to eat) well out of their dog's reach.

In another case, curiosity didn't kill the cat, but it did cause him to get an unusual bath. Amanda Graves recalls the time her husband noticed that their Abyssinian kitten, Peyton, was looking a little greasy. Upon closer examination, he discovered Peyton was covered in chicken broth.

"He had pushed aside the silicone lid on a cooling stockpot of homemade chicken bone broth and had gone for a swim," she says.

Strategies that can help you head off holiday trouble include decorating with unbreakable ornaments, forgoing tinsel and putting unsupervised food out of reach.

To protect her cat Kismet, Sharon Melnyk gave up using ribbons to wrap presents.

"He would try to eat any kind of ribbon and once bit my finger trying to get at a ribbon I was holding," she says.

Choose pet-safe plants, too. Poinsettias have a reputation for being poisonous, but at most they cause mild stomach upset. Of greater concern are lilies, which can be lethal, and amaryllis bulbs and holly.

Our pets don't mean to cause trouble during the holidays; they just want to help us celebrate. These simple precautions make it easier and less stressful to enjoy the season.

Q&A

Pain, scratching

signal ear problem

Q: My cavalier has something called "glue ear." Is this common in the breed? -- via email

A: That's a sticky problem. Glue ear, more formally known as "primary secretory otitis media," is a common problem in cavalier King Charles spaniels. It's not your typical ear infection: The dog's middle ear becomes blocked with a gooey plug of mucus. If it gets really full, the tympanic membrane can begin to bulge, causing pain. While it is seen most frequently in cavaliers, it has been noted in rare instances in boxers, dachshunds and Shih Tzus. In cavaliers, the condition may be hereditary, but as of yet, there's no definitive evidence of a genetic component other than its frequency in the breed.

We don't know what causes PSOM. It may be a problem related to the eustachian tube, which connects the middle ear and the back of the nose, which is how air enters the middle ear. Another theory is that it is related to the shape of the tympanic cavity. Signs of the problem include pain, especially in the head or neck area; or neurological signs such as head tilt or rapid eye movement. Dogs with the condition may scratch frequently at their ears, rub their heads, yawn excessively or cry out in pain.

In severe cases, PSOM may be visible via radiograph or even when the veterinarian takes a look with an otoscope. Other times, diagnosis may require a CT or MRI scan. Treatment involves removing the mucus plug and flushing the middle ear (a procedure called a myringotomy), followed by medication with corticosteroids and antibiotics. Treatment may need to be repeated more than once before it's successful, but generally PSOM has a good prognosis. -- Dr. Marty Becker

Do you have a pet question? Send it to askpetconnection@gmail.com or visit Facebook.com/DrMartyBecker.

THE BUZZ

Pets with diabetes

can live normal lives

-- It's National Pet Diabetes Month. The goal of the occasion is to raise awareness of the disease among pet owners. Both dogs and cats can develop diabetes. The incidence in cats and dogs is the same -- between 1 in 100 to 1 in 500 -- and middle-aged or older animals are usually at higher risk. The cause in dogs, who typically develop Type 1 diabetes, is unknown but may be genetic. Risk factors in cats, who usually develop Type 2 diabetes, include a genetic predisposition, chronic pancreatitis or hyperthyroidism, obesity and an inactive lifestyle. Take your pet to the veterinarian if you notice him drinking more water than normal, having housetraining accidents, acting hungry or losing weight even if eating normally, and being unusually lethargic. With treatment, he can live a normal lifespan.

-- Have you met the pumi? The Hungarian herding dog -- don't confuse him with his cousin the puli -- has a gray coat with wavy and curly hair (he can also come in black, white or fawn with a dark mask) and cute, erect ears that bend over at the tips. The pumi coat should be combed regularly and trimmed every two to four months. The smart, lively and vocal dogs are on the smaller side of medium, weighing 18 to 33 pounds. Typical of most herding breeds, pumis have a protective personality when it comes to their people and property, and they require plenty of exercise and mental stimulation.

-- A Maine coon cat named Ludo is one for the record books. The massive feline measures three feet, 11 inches, making him the longest cat currently living, according to Guinness World Records. That's just shy of the world record, held by the late Stewart Gilligan, also a Maine coon. -- Dr. Marty Becker, Kim Campbell Thornton and Mikkel Becker

ABOUT PET CONNECTION

Pet Connection is produced by a team of pet-care experts headed by "The Dr. Oz Show" veterinarian Dr. Marty Becker and award-winning journalist Kim Campbell Thornton. They are affiliated with Vetstreet.com and are the authors of many best-selling pet-care books. Joining them is dog trainer and behavior consultant Mikkel Becker. Dr. Becker can be found at Facebook.com/DrMartyBecker or on Twitter at DrMartyBecker. Kim Campbell Thornton is at Facebook.com/KimCampbellThornton and on Twitter at kkcthornton. Mikkel Becker is at Facebook.com/MikkelBecker and on Twitter at MikkelBecker.

Environment, stress, emotional conflicts, genetics and medical conditions can lie at the root of compulsive behaviors, but sometimes the cause is unknown

By Kim Campbell Thornton

Does your cat pull out his hair by the roots, suck wool or other fabrics or constantly chase shadows or light? He may suffer from a condition called compulsive disorder, similar to obsessive-compulsive disorder in humans. The difference is that cats -- to the best of our knowledge -- don't experience the intrusive thoughts and social factors that contribute to OCD in humans.

Cats with compulsive disorders take normal behaviors, such as grooming themselves, to an extreme. The behavior starts out normally and then becomes faster or more intense. It can become so excessive that it disrupts a cat's normal activities, sometimes to the point that he stops eating or tries to perform the behavior on other pets in the household.

Repetitive behaviors stress not only the cat performing them, but also the people and other animals who live with them. It's disturbing to have a companion animal who can't interact normally with family members or who suffers physical injury as a result of the compulsive behavior. People worry about their cats' well-being.

Compulsive behaviors are treatable and shouldn't be ignored. Cats can injure themselves by pulling out fur, leaving skin lesions or bare patches, or by ingesting fabric, causing intestinal obstructions. Some cats who suck wool or other materials undergo multiple surgeries throughout their lives to remove obstructions.

"If the cat is expressing compulsive behavior, it's not harmless," says Alice Moon-Fanelli, Ph.D. "It's an indication that the cat is anxious. Compulsive behaviors can arise spontaneously, but a lot of times we see them maintained by exposure to triggers in the environment that increase the cat's anxiety or level of arousal."

Diagnosis begins with a veterinary exam to eliminate possible medical causes, which account for approximately 90 percent of cases. For instance, certain neurologic diseases can cause pain or changes in sensation, causing the cat to attack the area with teeth or claws in an attempt to relieve the discomfort. Other possibilities include skin diseases, allergies or external parasites, such as fleas.

Wool-sucking is a compulsive behavior that may have a genetic basis. It is most often seen in Oriental breeds -- especially Siamese, Burmese and Birmans.

Environmental enrichment is one way to help relieve a cat's stress. Providing tall cat towers or window perches for squirrel and bird viewing, and feeding meals in food puzzles, are some ways to help cats feel happier and more comfortable. Predictable meal- and playtimes help, as well.

When environmental changes improve a cat's compulsive behaviors, it's important to maintain those changes throughout the cat's life.

"Compulsive behaviors don't go away," Dr. Moon-Fanelli says. "There's a genetic component to it that makes some cats more susceptible than others in developing these behaviors."

Anti-anxiety medication may help in some cases by reducing the intensity of compulsive actions so that behavior modification and environmental changes can be successful. Depending on the case, medication may be discontinued after the cat has done well for a time. Other cats may require medication for life.

Be careful about making changes in the life of a compulsive cat. He may do well for years and then revert to compulsive behaviors if his lifestyle changes. Dr. Moon-Fanelli recalls the case of a cat whose severe psychogenic alopecia (compulsive hair pulling) was triggered by her owner going on vacation. The owner enriched the environment and spent more time playing with her pet. With these improvements, the cat's condition remained under control for several years. It resurfaced when the owner added a new cat to the household.

"You have to keep management changes in place for the life of the cat," she says.

Q&A

Medicated shampoos

work multiple ways

Q: My dog has a skin problem, and the veterinarian recommends using a medicated shampoo. What can you tell me about how these products work? -- via Facebook

A: Medicated shampoos are topical therapies, meaning they are applied to the body. They may be used to remove scaling or crusting; fight parasites, bacteria or fungi; or relieve itchiness.

Depending on your dog's skin problem, a medicated shampoo may have one or more agents, the active ingredients that do the work. Antibacterial agents include benzoyl peroxide, chlorhexidine, triclosan and salicylic acid. They each work in different ways, usually by attacking bacterial cells, destroying plasma membranes or lowering the skin's pH, for instance.

Antifungal shampoos work against dermatophytes -- fungi that can infect skin, hair and nails by colonizing keratin tissues -- and Malassezia, a type of yeast that can overpopulate the skin. Common antifungal ingredients include miconazole and chlorhexidine, both of which can also have antibacterial properties. It's important to have a definitive diagnosis for a fungal infection, because not every agent works against both dermatophytes and yeasts.

Anti-itch shampoos are usually used in combination with other medications to help soothe the itch. They may work by moisturizing dry skin or providing a cooling or tingling sensation. A common type you may have seen is colloidal oatmeal. Its properties include a high concentration of starches, different types of phenols and saponins, all of which work together to give colloidal oatmeal its cleansing, moisturizing, soothing and anti-inflammatory effects.

Dogs with scaly, crusty or greasy skin problems usually need a shampoo that contains antiseborrheic agents such as sulfur, salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide. Their job is to normalize the skin.

Be sure to ask your veterinarian about possible side effects. Depending on the type of shampoo, these may include dry or irritated skin. Some products may bleach fabric or hair. -- Dr. Marty Becker

Do you have a pet question? Send it to askpetconnection@gmail.com or visit Facebook.com/DrMartyBecker.

THE BUZZ

Hero dog overcame

torture, helps others

-- A dogue de Bordeaux was named the 2016 American Humane Association's Hero Dog of the Year. He was honored not only for his work helping children with autism learn social skills, but also for surviving torture early in his life when someone cut out his tongue. Now, the first word spoken by many children who were previously nonverbal is his name: "Hooch." The burly, happy French mastiff also acts as a companion to women in shelters who have been victims of domestic abuse. The other seven finalists, all honored for their service, were law enforcement dog Edo, search and rescue dog Kobuk, service dog Gander, military dog Layka, arson dog Judge, hearing dog Hook and therapy dog Mango.

-- A new diagnostic test may help determine the best treatment for dogs with transitional cell carcinoma, the most common type of canine urinary tract cancer. Developed by Matthew Breen, a professor in the College of Veterinary Medicine at North Carolina State University, the test detects cancer by measuring different DNA copies to see if they are elevated or reduced from a normal control sample. Depending on the test result, the dog's veterinarian may recommend surgery, radiation therapy or chemotherapy.

-- Don't forget to include your dog, cat, bird or other pet in your estate plan. A pet trust -- legal in all 50 states -- allows you to set aside funds for an animal's care, administered by a trustee. Pet trusts can take effect during an owner's lifetime -- if he or she becomes incapacitated or moves into a nursing home, for instance -- or on death. The trustee disburses payments to a designated caregiver on a regular basis. In most cases, a pet trust ends when the pet dies or after 21 years, but pet trusts can be set up for longer periods for animals with long life expectancies, such as parrots or tortoises. -- Dr. Marty Becker, Kim Campbell Thornton and Mikkel Becker

ABOUT PET CONNECTION

Pet Connection is produced by a team of pet-care experts headed by "The Dr. Oz Show" veterinarian Dr. Marty Becker and award-winning journalist Kim Campbell Thornton. They are affiliated with Vetstreet.com and are the authors of many best-selling pet-care books. Joining them is dog trainer and behavior consultant Mikkel Becker. Dr. Becker can be found at Facebook.com/DrMartyBecker or on Twitter at DrMartyBecker. Kim Campbell Thornton is at Facebook.com/KimCampbellThornton and on Twitter at kkcthornton. Mikkel Becker is at Facebook.com/MikkelBecker and on Twitter at MikkelBecker.